materialhanlingupdate BATTERIES AND CHARGERS
teries during charging. Also, keep the exhaust system separate from the general ventilation system so no air is recirculated, and consider installing an indicator light or alarm to
alert operators if the exhaust system stops working.
; Install code-approved concrete flooring that resists acid
damage, use acid- or alkali-resistant and electrostatic paint
where appropriate, keep batteries off the floor, and have
acid neutralizers handy.
; Consider safety when choosing battery changing and
charging equipment. The more automated types cut down
on opportunities for accidents, Orf says, from “man
aboard” systems to something like his company’s
Intellichanger, where the operator only needs to disconnect
the battery from the truck and stand behind a barrier while
the equipment does the rest.
; Consult applicable regulations and building codes
issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and oth-
ers. Run your plans by your company’s environmental
health and safety department as well as local emergency
responders, who may have jurisdiction over things like ven-
tilation. “You don’t want to build [a battery room] and find
out later that the local fire marshal wants the floor coated or
a containment system,” Stump says.
An investment worth protecting
A financial commitment from the corporate level will help
you get the resources needed for a properly designed, safely
operated battery room, says MTC’s Orf. It may not be easy
to get management’s attention, though. Corporate managers are often aware of the costs of purchasing and maintaining forklifts, but many times, they forget about the costs
associated with battery changing and charging, he says.
Perhaps they should take notice. The value of battery-related assets alone merits attention: A facility with 100
forklift batteries has spent some $400,000 just for batteries,
and it may have invested $100,000 in battery changing
equipment and another $50,000 in chargers, Orf notes. “If
you have multiple facilities across the country, then you’re
talking millions of dollars.”
for more on battery charging …
Whether you’re looking to set up a battery room or just want
to learn more about battery changing and charging in general, you can find useful information online. Here are some
sources to get you started:
; The website for ProMat 2011, an exposition being organized by the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA),
lists a number of suppliers of batteries, battery management
systems, and associated equipment. Search “batteries” in the
Exhibitors Directory section of www.promatshow.com.
; The “Battery Room” section of BHS’s website
( www.bhs1.com/batteryroom) outlines the most important
considerations in battery room design.
; The U.S. Department of Defense’s online battery room
design checklist ( http://usachppm.amedd.army.mil/IH/
control-of-hazards/industrial-vent/docs/Battery%20Charging
%20Room%20Design%20Review%20Checklist.pdf) will be
helpful for civilian facilities, too.
; Multi-Shifter, a manufacturer of battery handing equipment, provides a rundown of the safety codes and regulations that apply to battery rooms on its website, www.multi-shifter.com/sales_regulations.asp.
; Hawker Powersource offers a well-organized, easy-to-follow guide to proper battery charging and changing practices at www.hawkerpowersource.com/products/tips.htm.
; AeroVironment provides information on its PosiCharge
line of fast-charging systems for industrial trucks on its web-
site, www.avinc.com/ev_charging/posicharge.
; Sackett Systems, which manufactures a complete line of
battery handling, storing, and charging systems, offers
detailed data on its products on its website, www.Sackett-Systems.com.
; ETec’s Minit-Charger is a fast-charging technology for forklifts, AGVs, and other battery-powered material handling vehicles. The manufacturer’s website, www.minit-charger.com,
includes detailed specifications on its products as well as
FAQs about fast charging.
; East Penn Manufacturing Inc., which manufactures the
Deka line of industrial batteries plus industrial chargers that
include multiple recharge and diagnostic options, offers an
online Lift Truck Selector guide to help users choose the right
battery for their specific equipment and applications. To view
the guide, go to www.dekabatteries.com and choose “Motive
Power – Lift Truck” from the Products menu.
; Ametek offers a wide range of battery chargers, including the new energy-saving Equinox model, through its
Prestolite Power division. Detailed product information is
available on its website, www.prestolitepower.com.
; PowerDesigners USA offers information on its line of battery management products, which include intelligent high-frequency conventional, opportunity, and fast battery chargers, on its website, www.powerdesignersusa.com.
—By DC VELOCITY staff
